Gainesboro Alderman Vote To Make Quarles Drive One-Way

The Gainesboro Alderman voted Thursday night to make Quarles Avenue a one-way street after concerns about drivers speeding on the narrow road.

Quarles Avenue resident Jackie Jenkins said he believes drivers have found that the small, residential street cuts down on the time it takes to get to Gainesboro Elementary School. Jenkins said the increased traffic has made the street dangerous in recent years.

“It’s real bad to start, especially, for some reason, the start of the school year,” Jenkins said. “There’s one guy, some sort of SUV, he comes down through there every morning running late and for some reason, he thinks that’s a quicker way to get to the school.”

The board approved the motion and the ordinance will be on the agenda for their next meeting, giving citizens a chance to share their thoughts before the change becomes official.

Jenkins said many people who live on that street have young children or teenagers learning to drive, both of whom could be in danger of the hurried traffic. He said many of the neighbors he has spoken with agree.

“There’s cars parked all over the street and it’s just got to where it really doesn’t need to be a two-way street,” Jenkins said. “It’s a narrow street, and it’s all jacked up from the pavement.

Alderman Ricky Head said the change could create an issue for mail delivery. Gainesboro Mayor Lloyd Williams said he also lives on the street, and the mailman’s typical method of driving down one way, and turning around would only have to be reversed, not cut off entirely.

City Attorney Kayla Cantrell said some towns have had MTAS send a Technical Consultant to perform a safety evaluation. She said the city could have the consultant evaluate the street, and give a written report detailing ways to make the stretch safer.